Shirley Bruce Clark

Shirley Bruce Clark, 94, Stoneboro, passed away July 7, 2023 at St. Paul’s Homes in Greenville after a period of declining health. Shirley Ann was born in Aliquippa (Beaver County) on October 4, 1928 to Hiram and Grace (Vath) Bruce. She was a 1946 graduate of the former Sandy Lake High School and earned her Bachelor’s in Nursing from C. H. Buhl School of Nursing, Sharon.

Upon graduation, Shirley traveled by train to San Jose, CA. That first cross-country trip was the beginning of a lifelong love of travel and adventure, which lead Shirley and her family on trips throughout the continental United States, as well as to Alaska and Hawaii. She also traveled to Spain, Russia and Antarctica and had plans for many more trips.

If there was an opportunity to visit someplace new, Shirley enthusiastically said yes. And she didn’t limit her adventures to far flung locales. She was known for heading out for lunch at 11:00 AM, only to return 12 hours later because she found a “shortcut”, or a dirt road she had not yet explored.

While working as a nurse in Yosemite National Park, she met her future husband and the father of her five children, David Clark. That union also proved adventurous, with multiple moves across the country as David worked at various ski resorts from Oregon to New York. Shirley managed to maintain her career while simultaneously raising her young children and packing up for the next move.

Shirley was kind and compassionate and deeply committed to justice. It was during her service in Cedar City, UT that she learned of the disadvantages that Native American cultures face. This led her to becoming an unwavering supporter of the St. Joseph Indian School in Lakota Territory, South Dakota.

During her nursing career, Shirley experienced several “firsts”—including the first use of penicillin at Sharon General hospital, which likely saved the patient’s life, and the first helicopter rescue in a slot canyon in Zion Narrows, Utah.

Although she had many different interests, Shirley was an early adopter of the environmental movement. She lived her life so that she would leave the smallest possible footprint on the planet. She was committed to recycling, teaching many people, including her children, coworkers, staff and residents at St. Paul’s the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling.

Shirley was an avid reader with far ranging tastes and a collection of hundreds of books. She loved gardening, especially flower gardening. She was an accomplished knitter and seamstress and a good, Pennsylvania farm cook.

Though life for Shirley was often challenging, she continually rose to the occasion. She was the moral compass for the family—leading us all toward becoming better people. And even when life was at its toughest, Shirley knew that “All was well with her soul.”

Shirley had many friends. Her infectious smile, warm heart and open and curious mind connected her to people throughout the world, often despite cultural and language differences.

She was a lifelong member of the Lakeview United Methodist Church, active in the United Methodist Women’s group and an enthusiastic supporter of the annual rummage sale.

She delivered meals for Lakeview Meals on Wheels, volunteered for the Stoneboro Garden Club (particularly enjoying stints at the Great Stoneboro Fair) and was the administrator for the Deer Creek Cemetery (French Creek Township) for many years, in addition to providing ongoing support to several environmental organizations.

Shirley is survived by her four children: Becky, Woodinville, WA and Stoneboro, Jeffrey, Hahn’s Peak, CO, Nathan, Stoneboro, and Shelby (Steven Urey), Sandy Lake. She was Grandma Choochoo to six: Graham and Olivia Clark, Morgan Giddings (fiancé Dave Young), Nathan and Abagail Clark and Schuyler Clark. She is survived by a sister, Donna (Susie) Armstrong, sister-in-law Ruth Bruce, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins to whom she was affectionally called Aunt Shirl or Shirley Ann.

She is also survived by her former husband, David (Citrus Heights, CA) and a special nephew, John Clark (Kristina) and their family of Palm Desert, CA.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son David Bruce, her brother Clair, nephew Dennis Bruce, and several cousins and close friends.

The family has the deepest gratitude for the staff and caretakers at the Heritage and the Villas at St. Paul’s, the nursing and support staff of Gentiva Hospice (Crawford County), and Dr. Christina Wong for their loving and expert care. Shirley also truly enjoyed Pastor Julia Fraser’s pastoral care while at St. Paul’s.

Funeral arrangements for Shirley and a memorial for her beloved son Bruce have been entrusted to Rose and Black Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. 99 Franklin Street, Stoneboro, where family and friends are welcome on Friday, July 14 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm. A service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, July 15 at 11:00 AM with the Rev. Janet Pratt officiating.

Interment will take place at Deer Creek Cemetery, with dinner to follow at the former Lakeview United Methodist Church, Sandy Lake Township.

In lieu of flowers, Shirley would be honored by memorial contributions to the Save the Redwoods League, or to the St. Joseph’s Indian School, The Sierra Club, or a charity of one’s choice. She would be most pleased if her family and friends lived their lives as if their decisions affected not just themselves, but seven generations forward.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.RoseAndBlackFH.com.

Visitation
Friday, July 14, 2023
2:00 - 4:00pm (Eastern time)
Rose and Black Funeral Home & Crematory
99 Franklin St, Stoneboro, PA 16153

Visitation
Friday, July 14, 2023
6:00 - 8:00pm (Eastern time)
Rose and Black Funeral Home & Crematory
99 Franklin St, Stoneboro, PA 16153

Funeral Service
Saturday, July 15, 2023
11:00am - 12:00pm (Eastern time)
Rose and Black Funeral Home & Crematory
99 Franklin St, Stoneboro, PA 16153